The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-12-28

haunted Doris studio TO he scandal of Mrs
Mack, and his own secrefuneasiness But
that matters had goneso far he never
dreamed
Yet, being brave manDr Blake crushed
down his rebellious feeling. He had come
on q mission of peace. Adttle .fnesse might
be advisable, for Impulse Doris was not
apt to listen patiently shen Mrs Mack,
whom she exceedingly asliked, was the
topic. Perhaps he had better begin by
mentioning the invitationthat morning re-
ceived and accepted for Mnself and Doris
to eat their New Year'sidinner with the
Marstons. Thus he coua lead up to the
topic desired by slow degNes
II suppose. Doris" said de Doctor, break
ing an awkward silence 'that-e'r-Mrs
Mack has told you we arehgaged-"
"She has just given nHto understand so
yes" coldly interrupteDors.
This was not encouragilg He would beat
about the bush no longebut mention his
errand at once.
Gas you know, Doris, Nagain began DR..
Black, nervousy clearinshis throat, MRS.
Mack is most excellenshousekeep and
We
Doris beautiful face, aipale as death, was
suddenly turned toward Em, checking his
further explanation.
II do not care to listentO recital of Mrs.
Mack's accomplishments virtues" cried
Doris, with passionate Resentment unlike
the Doris he knew-''sb and are thor
oughly antagonstlc. 1Hdoes not matter
though" she said, witha sudden half pa
thetic change of voice nd manner-''we
shall not trouble each oter in the future.
II have accepted an Her l received to-
day and shall no longesbe dependent on
your-bounty. 4
Though stricken to tA heart Dr. Blake
was too proud to mat any sign. He
waited moment for Doris to explain
further, but Doris wastlumb. Could he
have seen her quivering Ups he might have
known the reason.
"I hope you may be hPpy in your new
life, Doris" 1t cost DrSBlake a tremen-
dous effort to say this Zoo well he knew
the weak will and validating purpose of
his nephew, who wouldnever succeed in
his calling, simply from Eek OF energy and
application And this vas the man who
had won his pretty ward
"Thank you" said Dds, in low tone.
But, as she suddenly lifM her deep, sharp
eyes to his own, what yas it that, for one
brief moment, he fanciA he saw in their
inscrutable depths?
All the self-repressedpassio Of his nat
ure rose suddenly to th surface. For the
first time in his years guardianship, Dr.
Paul Blake forgot to hob himself in check
Crossing the space beKeen them with a
single stride, DR. Blakeseized both Doris
small hands in his owna
F" Doris, my darling-An it be possible?"
he exclaimed, in Mf bewilderment
And his voice, as wei as the love-light
shining from his eyes, applied what was
lacking Of further speech
A flood of tell-tale cinson suffused the
fair girls brow, cheekand neck
How dare you'll lib you, DR.. Blake"
she impetuously cried, p the same breath
And wrenching herself rom his OBTAINING
grasp, Doris, hiding hf hot face in her
hands, burst into an aghy of weeping.
Well would dismayedDr Blake have de-
sired to kiss away her tars, as when Doris
was tiny maiden Ht-she hated him;
that settled it Exhahg sigh, which
seemed to come fromhis boot-soles, the
doctor turned, and mae his way hastily
downstairs. Doris waied till the echo of
bis footsteps had died way; then, drying
her eyes on a diminutiH handkerchief she
stamped her small foG with considerable
energy.
Il am nothing but | young TOOL" she
said, with an unconscids echo of similar
admission on Dr. BIaEs part little be-
fore. The adjectives bly, being changed
Removing the cloth'fDm the partly CON-
pleted portrait, Doris ieized her palette
and with the ghost of atender smile on her
quivering lips fell to painting with nervous
haste.
Il must finish it befde New Years." she
said to herself And 4solutely crowding
down her emotions, Dob worked steadily
till dinner time
To her relief Dr.. Blals was absent max
ing his professional 'ound Mrs Mack
glanced at the traces il recent tears on
Doris pale cheek win ill-concealed tri-
umph as the young gil bending over her
plate, made n pretense oseating.
&The Doctor says you'R thinking of leav-
ing us, smoothly remarked the widow, after
vainly waiting for Dolls to break the
silence
EYES," was the coldly mpnosyllabic reply.
"Well, may be it's for thu BEST responded
Mrs Mack, steadily eyehg her shrinking
victim, "for naturally ypu don't feel like
being beholden to any one longer'n you can
help, though as PAUL. mean the Doctor
says he didn't mind the extra expense while
he was single with only himself to care for.
But now, why"
Here Mrs Mack checked herself and coyly
dropped her eyes to the table cloth, a corne,
of which she was plating between he1
fingers in seeming confusion
sNeither Dr. Blake or yourself need fear
being burdened with me much longer, re.
piled Doris, with quiet scorn. And as she
rose and lett the room, Mrs Mack smiled
"One of US will leave, but it won't be
Althea Mack, " she remarked, in triumphant
confidence, to herself But this remains to
be seen.
Slowly the old year dragged his tagging
footsteps toward the portal where the New
Year child stood impatiently awaiting the
departure of his nearly worn-out pred
scessor. Doris, cold and silent, saw but
little of her guardian, who, far graver and
more pre-occupied than was his wont,
silently noted the frequent comings and
goings of his nephew, who as far as possible
seemed to shrink from an interview.
DR.. Blake waited from day to day with a
vain hope that Doris might come to him
with her confidence as in other days. But
the young girl painted steadily at the un-
finished portrait for which - according *